Eye reduction in a mole - the truth about delusion
Most people are convinced that moles see absolutely nothing and they don’t actually have eyes. This opinion is most likely due to the underground way of life of animals, because they move in complete darkness not with the help of sight, but thanks to their excellent sense of smell and touch.
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Does a mole have eyes
In reality, moles, of course, have organs of vision, they are just very poorly developed and it is difficult to notice them. In some species, they are completely hidden under the skin, but the presence of eyes in these animals is an indisputable fact.
What do the eyes of a mole look like and what are they capable of
The eyes of representatives of the mole family are very small and their diameter is usually only 1-2 mm. The movable eyelid tightly closes this small organ. In some species, the eyelids are completely fused and hide the eyes under the skin.
The mole has eyes.
The structure of the organs of vision of this animal also has its own characteristics. The eyeball of the mole is reduced and therefore devoid of the lens and retina. But despite this, the eyes of the mole still perform certain functions:
- moles are able to respond to a sharp change in lighting;
- they are able to distinguish moving figures;
- animals are able to distinguish some contrasting colors.
What is the role of the organs of vision of the mole
Despite the fact that the vision of moles is more than weak, it still plays a certain role in their life. The eyes help the mole in the following:
- ability distinguish open space on the surface from underground tunnels. If a mole crawls out of its hole by mistake, it will be able to understand that it is on the surface because of the bright light.
- catching moving insects. Due to the ability to distinguish the movement of other animals, the mole can escape from predators or catch prey for itself.
- snow orientation. In winter, the animals often make passages under snowdrifts and their organs of vision help them to orient themselves in such conditions.
Decide if a mole is a pest or a friend easily!
Why do moles have degeneration of the organs of vision
The main reason why the eyes of the mole underwent reduction is the underground way of life of the animal.
Due to the fact that the animal spends almost its entire life in complete darkness, the need for well-developed organs of vision is minimized.
European mole: 3D project.
In addition, fully developed eyes for a constantly burrowing animal could be a serious problem. Sand, soil and dust would always fall on the mucous membrane of the eye and lead to pollution, inflammation and suppuration.
Another likely cause of eye reduction in moles is priority of the importance of other senses, over the organs of vision. Almost all analyzers of the brain of this animal are aimed at processing information obtained with the help of the organs of touch and smell, since it is they who help it move and navigate in complete darkness.
It would be irrational to use a large number of brain analyzers to process information received from the organs of the visual system.
Do moles have eyes and why do people think they don’t?
In fact, moles have eyes, but they are hidden under their skin and fur, making them invisible at first glance. Usually, if you take a mole and part the fur just above the nose, between the bridge of the nose and where the ears are (which are also not visible), you will find tiny slits in the skin, and under them are the eyes.
In some species of moles, as well as in certain populations of European moles, the eyelids are fused and the eyes are permanently under the skin. However, this does not mean that their eyes have disappeared completely.
Interestingly, many gardeners holding dead moles in their hands may not notice their eyes due to the cold state of the body. This leads to the popular belief that moles do not have eyes, but in fact, they are simply not visible upon casual inspection.
Therefore, it can be argued that moles still have eyes. Moles have adapted to life underground and have functional eyes, even if they are hidden under skin and fur.
What do the eyes of different types of moles look like?
The family of moles has many different species and their organs of vision are reduced to varying degrees.
In such species, the eyelids are completely fused and do not open at all; with the help of their eyes, they can only distinguish light from darkness, so we can assume that they are not developed. This group includes Mogers, Caucasian and Blind moles.
Species of moles, in which the eyelid is mobile, are able to distinguish light from darkness, distinguish between contrasting colors and the movement of other animals. The European, Townsend, American star-bearing and Shrew moles can boast of a similar ability to see.
Only the Chinese shrew moles have such vision, the way of life of which is something between the terrestrial life of shrews and the underground life of moles.
Conclusion
In the process of evolution, many creatures on the planet experience degeneration of various organs that do not make much sense for survival. This is exactly what is happening with the eyes of the mole family. Based on this, it is quite possible that in the future this sense organ in moles will completely lose its meaning and become rudimentary.
